New Robert Langdon coming in September

About The Secret of Secrets The world’s most celebrated thriller writer returns with his most stunning novel yet—a propulsive, twisty, thought-provoking masterpiece that will entertain readers as only Dan Brown can do. Robert Langdon, esteemed professor of symbology, travels to Prague to attend a groundbreaking lecture by Katherine Solomon—a prominent noetic scientist with whom he has recently begun a relationship. Katherine is on the verge of publishing an explosive book that contains startling discoveries about the nature of human consciousness and threatens to disrupt centuries of established belief. But a brutal murder catapults the trip into chaos, and Katherine suddenly disappears along with her manuscript. Langdon finds himself targeted by a powerful organization and hunted by a chilling assailant sprung from Prague’s most ancient mythology. As the plot expands into London and New York, Langdon desperately searches for Katherine . . . and for answers. In a thrilling race through the dual worlds of futuristic science and mystical lore, he uncovers a shocking truth about a secret project that will forever change the way we think about the human mind.

Final Blackout by L. Ron Hubbard

Final Blackout by L Ron Hubbard, Galaxy Press, various formats, available everywhere. Reprinted from Baryon 65, April 1996.

This is the story of "the last World War" and the one man who was able to save his command and his country against the harshest of odds and opponents. It is storytelling at its best, good believable characters, well plotted story, and enough action to move the reader forward to see what happens next. And it has a moral to tell as well

Written in 1940, this is the story of "the Lieutenant" and the problems e faces trying to win a war, keep his men alive, and do what is right for his country while having to deal with a group of politicians who want everything to be "politically correct". Hubbard was a man ahead of this time.

2025 notes:In 1940, Hubbard was predicting the forthcoming World War II and the things that would happen in war and  show how politics would foreshadow the happenings in Korea and Vietnam. He also predicts the coming "political correctness" that has been underwriting the agendas that are still bubbling under many governments today.

Be sure to check your local booksellers and Amazon.com to obtain your copy

The Monster Men & Return of the Monster Men available for pre-order

 

Preorder Now: The Monster Men™ and Return of the Monster Men

Spine-Chilling Horror Lurks in the Edgar Rice Burroughs Universe™

Cover art by Brian LeBlanc

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 (Tarzana, California) Edgar Rice Burroughs’ The Monster Men—the classic tale of horror and what it truly means to be human—sparks to life alongside Return of the Monster Men, a spine-chilling new sequel by Scribe Award-winning author Josh Reynolds! Both books feature bloodcurdling wraparound cover art by veteran fantasy and science fiction illustrator Brian LeBlanc. The Monster Men and Return of the Monster Men release in October 2025—just in time for Halloween!—and can be preordered now. Each book will be available in trade paperback, standard hardcover, and a limited Collector’s Edition. Preorder The Monster Men and Return of the Monster Men today!

THE MONSTER MEN by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Cover art by Brian LeBlanc

On a secluded jungle island in the East Indies festers a horrifying secret. There Professor Maxon has fled with his daughter Virginia following the success of his immoral experiments to subvert the laws of nature and create life. Twelve misshapen, hideous things have risen from Maxon’s vats on the island—but Number Thirteen is almost human. Just how human, the latter will soon discover when he encounters Virginia, who awakens him to a strange new potential. But a treacherous ally and a cutthroat band of pirates have their sights on both Virginia and her father’s treasure chest, and they will stop at nothing to possess them. Now Number Thirteen must confront not only his own abominable past and the cruelty of his human antagonists, but also the frightful, soulless monsters that rove the isle of terror thirsting for violence and blood. Includes the Bonus Story “Elmer” The Rare Original Draft of “The Resurrection of Jimber-Jaw”! by Edgar Rice Burroughs A prehistoric man from the Old Stone Age wakes up in fifty thousand years later in a world of corruption, vice, and greed. The first published version of this story appeared in the February 20, 1937 issue of Argosy Weekly under the title “The Resurrection of Jimber-Jaw” and was heavily rewritten by the magazine editor. The version of the tale included in this new edition of The Monster Men is taken from Edgar Rice Burroughs’ original manuscript, and has seen only a single publication in a rare, out-of-print hardcover collection.

Hardcover Limited Collector’s Edition The hardcover Collector’s Edition of The Monster Men features: A special ERB Universe bookplate signed by ERB Universe Creative Director Christopher Paul Carey and a facsimile signature of Edgar Rice Burroughs An ERB Universe trading card featuring Brian LeBlanc’s cover art for the novel A limited print run of only 200 copies

Collectible Trading Card Only with Collector's Edition

Wraparound cover art by Brian LeBlanc Preorder your copy of The Monster Men by Edgar Rice Burroughs today!

RETURN OF THE MONSTER MEN by Josh Reynolds

Cover art by Brian LeBlanc

Thirteen months after their horrifying experiences in the East Indies, Bulan—the man once known as Townsend J. Harper, Jr.—and his wife Virginia return to the isle of terror where their adventures began. In their hearts lies a burning question: What truly happened to Number Thirteen, the soulless monster unleashed from Professor Maxon’s vats? But they are little prepared for the answer, or to confront the shadowy faction of a foreign power that has seized the island hoping to unearth its dread secrets for nefarious purposes. And when a new brood of monsters emerges from the vats and is let loose upon the island, no one is safe...for Number Thirteen is alive and well, and he is angry—as are his terrifying, monstrous kin, who seek vengeance for their own unholy creation. Includes the Bonus Novelette “Weird Worlds: Dead on Venus” by Mike Wolfer Unable to return to Earth, the crew of the fantastic airship Favonia finds themselves thrust into a life-or-death battle for survival in the storm-drenched jungles of the planet Amtor...also known as Venus! Trapped within an ancient fortress, the only hope for Captain Douglas Conover and two of his shipmates lies in their new Amtorian ally, Carson Napier. But how can the Earthly heroes and a squad of Amtorian warriors hope to prevail against the attacking horde of zombie soldiers intent on their destruction?

Hardcover Limited Collector’s Edition The hardcover Collector’s Edition of Return of the Monster Men features: A special ERB Universe bookplate signed by authors Josh Reynolds and Mike Wolfer as well as a facsimile autograph of Edgar Rice Burroughs An ERB Universe trading card featuring Brian LeBlanc’s cover art for the novel A limited print run of only 200 copies

Collectible Trading Card Only with Collector's Edition

Wraparound cover art by Brian LeBlanc Preorder your copy of Return of the Monster Men by Edgar Rice Burroughs today!

About the Authors   Edgar Rice Burroughs: Master of Adventure™ The creator of the immortal characters Tarzan of the Apes® and John Carter of Mars®, Edgar Rice Burroughs is one of the world’s most popular authors. Mr. Burroughs’ timeless tales of heroes and heroines transport readers from the jungles of Africa and the dead sea bottoms of Barsoom® to the miles-high forests of Amtor™ and the savage inner world of Pellucidar®, and even to alien civilizations Beyond the Farthest Star™. Mr. Burroughs’ books are estimated to have sold hundreds of millions of copies, and they have spawned 60 films and 250 television episodes. Josh Reynolds A professional author since 2007, Josh Reynolds has over thirty novels to his name, three of which won the Scribe Award, in addition to have written numerous short stories, novellas, and audio scripts. Born and raised in South Carolina, he now resides in Sheffield with his wife and daughter, as well as a highly excitable dog and something he hopes is a cat. A complete list of his work can be found at his website. Mike Wolfer Mike Wolfer has been a professional writer and illustrator for more than thirty years. He is the author of the Edgar Rice Burroughs Universe novel The Land That Time Forgot: Fortress Primeval as well as three prior ERB Universe Universe prose novellas (“Victory Harben: Clash on Caspak,” “Beyond the Farthest Star: Escape on Zandar,” “Weird Worlds: Voyage into Terror.”). Additionally, he has been a key talent working on the canonical ERB Universe comic books, including Jane Porter, Victory Harben, Pellucidar, The Land That Time Forgot, The Monster Men, and The Moon Maid. Best known for his Widow series, Wolfer is also the creator of the Daughters of the Dark Oracle franchise, and has worked on numerous licensed properties.

 

FINE LINES FROM FRAZETTA GIRLS

 

SHOP PRINTS NEW ARRIVALS CONTACT US

Frazetta Girls | 7374 S Tamiami Trail | Sarasota, FL 34231 US

 

Overgrowth by Mira Grant

 

The Day of the Triffids meets Little Shop of Horrors in this smart, charming, harrowing alien invasion story about being human, by a Hugo-award winning author.

Since she was three years old, Anastasia Miller has been telling anyone who would listen that she's an alien disguised as a human being, and that the armada that left her on Earth is coming for her. Since she was three years old, no one has believed her.

Now, with an alien signal from the stars being broadcast around the world, humanity is finally starting to realize that it's already been warned, and it may be too late. The invasion is coming, Stasia's biological family is on the way to bring her home, and very few family reunions are willing to cross the gulf of space for just one misplaced child.

What happens when you know what's coming, and just refuse to listen?

 

Praise for Overgrowth

“Mira Grant re-cements her place at the top of the sci-fi horror genre.” ―T. Kingfisher, author of What Moves the Dead

“I've never read anything like this. Overgrowth is poignant, beautiful and terrifying by turns. Grant has written a first contact story that captures the wonder of encountering something truly alien―and the horror of learning how much of the alien is already inside us. A unique and utterly addictive read, from the first green shoots to the final harvest.” ―M.R. Carey, author of The Girl With All the Gifts‍

“A sweeping green storm in which Grant offers a garden of seclusion, and finding yourself, and the end of the world too. Overgrowth is charming and yet horrific, a modern sci-fi shadow cast by past fears and the looming future of our lonely planet.” ―Hailey Piper, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Queen of Teeth 

Available from Amazon UK, from Daphne Press. 

Australian Vietnam Veterans from Historynet.com

 

I had the following forwarded to me after posting yesterdays message. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

 

While I knew that Australia had sent troops to Vietnam, I had no idea that their returning combat veterans were treated as shamefully as they were here in the U.S. (Intel, “Australia Set to Commemorate War’s End,” April 2022). What was it that made this such a universal response when we should have been proud of them? Was this an independent action on the part of civilian Australians or was it learned from American media? Also, were the Vietnam combat veterans who returned to England treated in the same shameful way?     

Shelby Morrison – Orlando, Florida 

 

Thank you for your questions, and for your interest in learning more about the experiences of Australian Vietnam veterans.  

A total of 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam, and faced many of the same challenges experienced by American servicemen upon returning home. Given the national and cultural differences between Australia and the United States, veterans’ experiences varied between the two nations, and societal opposition to the Vietnam War expressed itself in different ways. However, the Vietnam War became increasingly unpopular over time in both countries, and servicemen reported being shunned and mistreated by others after they returned home.  

Q: What was it that made this such a universal response when we should have been proud of them? Was this an independent action on the part of civilian Australians or was it learned from American media?

Opposition to the Vietnam War formed in Australia for several key reasons. From the war’s outset, sentiments existed among some quarters of the public that the country was being dragged into an American conflict contrary to its own national interests. These feelings increased in the public sphere over time as the war continued. 

Another factor was the introduction of the draft. In 1964, a conscription “lottery” scheme was put into action, by which 20-year-old Australian men were chosen via the selection of numbered marbles. Upon being chosen, each man was required to serve two years full time in the Australian Army, plus an additional three and a half years part-time. The draft was unpopular and drew opposition from members of the public. 

Television played a key role in shaping public perceptions of the war. As in the United States, many Australians were alarmed by grisly images and scenes of suffering and destruction they witnessed in television news reports. The year 1968 marked a turning point in public attitudes toward the conflict. The Tet Offensive increased opposition to the draft.  

“Horrific scenes on television screens … sapped public support further,” according to Neil Sharkey, curator of Australia’s Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.  

Many people were also deeply shaken by the atrocities committed during the My Lai Massacre. According to the National Museum of Australia, “the Australian public began to think that if American soldiers were doing this sort of thing then possibly their Australian comrades were doing the same.”  

Growing public outrage at the war, and coverage of protests in American cities, inspired Australians to gather in protest rallies known as “moratoriums.” 

“An Australian anti-war movement gathered momentum, and by 1970-71, hundreds of thousands of people were attending Moratorium [protest] marches across Australia …. Soldiers returning to Australia met a hostile reception,” wrote Sharkey. 

Over the years, Australian veterans have reported that they were insulted and subjected to discriminatory treatment after returning home from Vietnam. 

Rejected by fellow soldiers, ignored by the government

Vietnam veterans also endured a particularly painful form of ostracism — mistreatment by other military veterans. This manifested itself in exclusion from social clubs for veterans commonly known as RSL (Returned and Services League of Australia) clubs. As a nation, Australia had developed a distinct sense of pride in its troops’ achievements in World Wars I and II. Yet some World War II veterans treated their countrymen who fought in Vietnam with disdain, adopting the attitude that Australian troops in Vietnam were merely a sideshow to the American military and that it was “not a real war.”

“We were ostracized by not only the civilians but also the RSL and everybody else,” said Peter Safe, who served in Vietnam in the 9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, in an interview with Australia’s ABC news. “According to the RSL, that wasn’t a war zone, it was just police action … it took a while for them to come to grips with it and [it to] be recognized as a war.” 

Additionally, the potential exposure of Australian veterans to Agent Orange and chemical defoliants in Vietnam was a hotly contested issue. Initially, the Australian government flatly denied that any veterans had been exposed to chemical defoliants. In response, Australian veterans fought fiercely for recognition and eventually were able to claim compensation for illnesses resulting from herbicides and pesticides.

The Australian government has recently stepped up its efforts to honor the service of Vietnam veterans.  

Despite the similarities in their postwar experiences, Australian and American veterans had distinctly different experiences in the field. For example, unlike some American servicemen, Australian soldiers were not impacted by social tensions related to the Civil Rights movement. Drug use was not a widespread problem among Australian conscripts, although alcohol abuse became a major issue in the war’s later stages.  

Q: Were the Vietnam combat veterans who returned to the UK treated in the same way?    

The UK’s military involvement in the Vietnam War was extremely limited. As in Australia, some members of the British public were concerned that becoming involved in the war was against national interests and wished to avoid their leadership “being a mere satellite of the U.S.,” as American diplomat David K.E. Bruce put it in 1965. Officially, British involvement in Vietnam ceased in January 1946, after the British military helped to restore French colonial rule in the aftermath of World War II.  

However, British intelligence advisers are said to have provided assistance to troops in Vietnam in the form of covert operations. Therefore, Britain did provide aid in the struggle while avoiding media scrutiny and high levels of public opposition. 

It should also be noted that, despite the comparative lack of troops on the ground, some British soldiers voluntarily joined the fight in Vietnam after moving to the United States or to other countries supporting the war effort. Bob Rose of Birmingham, England, served in the French Foreign Legion and eventually the South Vietnamese Army alongside the U.S. military. Additionally, the U.S. soldier whose photo became famous on the cover of Hal Moore’s book “We Were Soldiers Once … And Young,” was actually British. Rick Rescorla, a native of Cornwall, served in the British Army before moving to the U.S. and joined the U.S. Army to fight in Vietnam. Rescorla remained in the U.S. after the war and went on to lead people to safety at the World Trade Center during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, saving an estimated 2,687 lives and sacrificing his own in the process.  

Aside from the United States and Australia, another country whose Vietnam veterans experienced widespread mistreatment upon returning home was New Zealand. 

“A lot of veterans who came home were just advised to get out of uniform and disappear,” according to Claire Hall, writer, historian and archivist for New Zealand’s Ministry for Culture and Heritage.  

The country experienced heated anti-war demonstrations, with a police inspector in Auckland being pushed off a cliff by protesters. New Zealand’s government issued a formal apology to Vietnam veterans for mistreatment in 2008.  

by Zita Ballinger Fletcher

Zita is the editor of both Military History Quarterly and Vietnam Magazine. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in military history. She received an award from the National Federation of Press Women in 2022 for her editing work on Vietnam Magazine. She has written numerous military history books, articles and book reviews and is also an award-winning author. Her book “Bernard Montgomery’s Art of War” won a Silver Medal from the Military Writers Society of America. She is fluent in German and is a member of the U.K. Military Historical Society. Her areas of interest include the Vietnam War and World Wars I and II, with a focus on Great Britain, Germany and Eastern Europe.